17 Apr 2008 13:34:44

Hi-Soft

advice on HOODS !

I'm looking at getting a hood to go with my 7mm wetsuit to dive the colder water of Victoria, AUSTRALIA. The thing is, I really don't like wearing hoods.....I hate chocking feeling,and limiting flexability...like probably most people do... So I'm looking at one that doesn't have a long neck / shoulder seal section.....so more like the "dry suit" type...shorter...so I can maybe wear it over the neck of my wetsuit...is that possible ??? Can I use an actual "dry suit" hood with a conventional wetsuit, or will it no work properly or something ?? I'm also thinking...I will only go as thick as 5mm max...for the above reason..(chocking feeling etc. )... Any advide appreciated... bc

18 Apr 2008 07:29:10

Don Gingrich

Re: advice on HOODS !

Hi-Soft wrote: > I'm looking at getting a hood to go with my 7mm wetsuit to dive the > colder water of Victoria, AUSTRALIA. > > The thing is, I really don't like wearing hoods.....I hate chocking > feeling,and limiting flexability...like probably most people do... > If it's properly fitted there's not much of a problem with this. I'm also from Melbourne, and I've always used a hood with my wetsuit. It makes sense since a large part of the heat loss is through the head. > So I'm looking at one that doesn't have a long neck / shoulder seal > section.....so more like the "dry suit" type...shorter...so I can > maybe wear it over the neck of my wetsuit...is that possible ??? > You can wear what you like-- there are no "SCUBA Fashion Police" out there to check on you. The biggest problem with shorter hoods is the leaks at the back of the neck as you move your head. > Can I use an actual "dry suit" hood with a conventional wetsuit, or > will it no work properly or something ?? > The shorter hoods are OK, but the cold water down the back of your neck can be annoying. > I'm also thinking...I will only go as thick as 5mm max...for the > above reason..(chocking feeling etc. )... I've never seen a 7mm hood, in any case. -Don

17 Apr 2008 21:01:33

Ron

Re: advice on HOODS !

Don Gingrich <gingrich@cs.rmit.edu.au > wrote: >Hi-Soft wrote: >> I'm also thinking...I will only go as thick as 5mm max...for the >> above reason..(chocking feeling etc. )... > >I've never seen a 7mm hood, in any case. http://www.otterbaysuits.com/wetsuits.cfm It's 6 mil on the neck and around the face, and 12 mil over the ears and head (dual-layer). Since it's custom built to your own measurements, the choking feeling should be minimized. They also do 6.5 mil hoods. -- Ron (user ron in domain spamblocked.com)

18 Apr 2008 22:44:57

dechucka

Re: advice on HOODS !

"Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com > wrote in message news:UlINj.2592$ko5.1914@news-server.bigpond.net.au... > I'm looking at getting a hood to go with my 7mm wetsuit to dive the colder > water of Victoria, AUSTRALIA. > > The thing is, I really don't like wearing hoods.....I hate chocking > feeling,and limiting flexability...like probably most people do... Alot of people wear them all the time and it doesn't seem to hassle them but I rarely wear them and don't like them > > So I'm looking at one that doesn't have a long neck / shoulder seal > section.....so more like the "dry suit" type...shorter...so I can maybe > wear it over the neck of my wetsuit...is that possible ??? IMHE If you don't mind a cold neck and/or cold water dribbling down your back it can be done > > Can I use an actual "dry suit" hood with a conventional wetsuit, or will > it no work properly or something ?? don't think it would work but can give no reason > > I'm also thinking...I will only go as thick as 5mm max...for the above > reason..(chocking feeling etc. )... > > Any advide appreciated... > > bc >

18 Apr 2008 12:28:33

ben bradlee

Re: advice on HOODS !

"Hi-Soft" <nospam@spam.com > wrote in message news:UlINj.2592$ko5.1914@news-server.bigpond.net.au... > I'm looking at getting a hood to go with my 7mm wetsuit to dive the colder > water of Victoria, AUSTRALIA. > > The thing is, I really don't like wearing hoods.....I hate chocking > feeling,and limiting flexability...like probably most people do... > > So I'm looking at one that doesn't have a long neck / shoulder seal > section.....so more like the "dry suit" type...shorter...so I can maybe > wear it over the neck of my wetsuit...is that possible ??? > > Can I use an actual "dry suit" hood with a conventional wetsuit, or will > it no work properly or something ?? > > I'm also thinking...I will only go as thick as 5mm max...for the above > reason..(chocking feeling etc. )... > > Any advide appreciated... Check this out: http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-28/022135/Henderson-Ice-Cap.html The ice cap provides no neck constraint but provides some thermal protection for the head. If you don't like the feel of a hood try getting one size larger than what will ordinarily fit. Depending on the construction of the hood, you can still minimize water flow over your head and stay warmer even though not optimally sealed. If it is neck tightness that bothers you most, you can slit the back or front of the hood neck, stitch the end of the cuts, and aqua seal a piece of latex to allow for expansion. The drysuit hood when attached provides good blocking of water movement even if the hood is loose. A hood could be attached to a wet suit and serve the same purpose. The larger size hood is more comfortable even when longer. The shorter hoods in smaller sizes will restrict the neck movement more than a long hood of larger size.